Pune FC 'A' ends lose in semifinal clash

Pune FC 'A' hopes of making the finals of the 10th Aaha Gold Cup ended.

A 0-4 loss to Samsung Jawalakhel Youth Club, courtesy a four-goal effort by striker Karna Limbu, includes a first half hat trick, at the Pokhara Stadium, Nepal came as a big blow to the team who comprised of players of the newly formed Peninsula Pune Football Club Academy (PPFCA).

Fielding an unchanged squad from the last match, Pune FC 'A' began on the wrong foot and went into arrears within the first 10 minutes of the game.

With defenders Lalrimawma Rinte conceding a free kick just outside the penalty box, the rivals' Bishal Rai curled his effort and Karna Limbu did well flick the ball home leaving the 'keeper Bhushan Patil beaten and the rest stunned.

The Pune FC 'A' defence thereafter was under pressure as Karna weaved past with ease minutes later, until a counter attack at the other end took attention away. Striker Haokip released a quick pass to William, but the linesman flagged the latter for offside.

The home side retaliated through a Bishal-Karna combine, which ended in similar circumstances as Pune FC A's move.

Pune FC 'A' settled down, but for some reason still smarted from the goal deficit. A free kick by F. Lalrempuia from 20-yards was dug into the JYC wall, but at Pune FC A's end, Anuj Negi was involved in two contrasting moments. He first cleared an Amar Subba cross from the left off an indirectly taken corner and then was involved in a handball. A poor free kick by Bikram Limbu ended the situation.

With the home side growing with confidence, two-goals in a span of three minutes took the game away from Pune FC 'A' - a flick-on and finish by Karna (25th) that left the defense open and then the same player dribbled past the defence after Suraj Thing crosses the ball from the flank.

Pune FC made an early substitution bringing in Nikhil Kadam (for Suji Kumar). Nearing the half way stage, Rinte combined with David Lalbiakzara on the flank and penetrated into the home side penalty area, but a timely clearance by Bikram prevented further movement.

Puia from 25-yards out was accurate with his free kick, which ended in the hands of the 'keeper Dinesh Thapa. Into added time of the first half and Lalrempuia went inches wide off the vertical after striker Haokip was fouled. Half time: Pune FC 'A' trailed 0-3.

Switching sides, Pune FC's had a hand ball appeal turned down when Negi connected a header onto a defenders hand after David curled in a corner kick, however the referee thought otherwise.

Ten minutes into the half, a miscommunication between the defenders and the custodian led to the rivals' fourth goal allowing Karna an easy placement.

Down 0-4, Pune FC 'A' had Lalrimawma Rinte go wide of target from a corner taken by David, before substituting their custodian Bhushan with Rajiv Miryala.

Pune FC's best chance to pull one back came on the hour. Gobin Singh cross from the flak was met with William's long stretch, but an alert rival custodian dived to his left to save the sure goal.

The attempt brought life into the attacks and Puen FC "A' grew in confidence. Haokip was fouled on a run by defender Thomas Wangira outside the box to win a fee kick. Substitute Nikhil off the free kick hit a maze of legs which led to the ball rolling out to the left to Gobin Singh. The cross that Gobin played was good, but not enough get past the 'keeper who caught safely.

Nikhil then on a run slipped while going for a finish, which lead to the ball missing the vertical.

Pune FC's 15-minute domination was however undone as the defence was found wanting. Bishal's run past the last line ended with the woodwork being rocked! Later JYC skipper Laxmi Shrestha was allowed a crack that ended straight into the keepers' hands.

Upfront Abung Thangjam Meetie worked with Haokip in an attack, but the rivals defence sandwiched the latter from furthering his run.

With time running out the game ended with Pune FC 'A' aware that the day was not theirs.